Of the many bluegrass festivals, the penultimate may well be the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival. Held at the Granite Hill Camp Resort since the festival’s inception in 1979, this festival is an annual pilgrimage for thousands of bluegrass patrons. Gettysburg Bluegrass is internationally acclaimed for its music selection and unbeatable quality. Better still, the festival runs twice a year – once in May and again in August – and both times it spans a week of nonstop fun, activity and of course, music.

The festival routinely brings in big, respectable acts and over the week nearly two dozen acts grace the stage. Over the four days of music, nearly every hour a band takes one of two stages. While there is a spattering of New Grass, Old Tyme, Americana, and Singer/Songwriter, but the overwhelming majority of the music is straight bluegrass. The music is enough to entertain constantly, but this festival revs it into high gear with workshops, meet-and-greets, and band jams makes everything feel as much like a convention as a music festival. It is not uncommon for musical quests to the festival to join or even lead workshops.

It should be noted that visitors are not required to camp at the resort to attend the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival, but there are 400 camping spots for interested parties. Whether staying the week or just the afternoon, good eats are essential. The Bluegrass Festival offers a diverse selection of food among a multitude of vendors. The camp’s store also has plenty of stocked soft goods and camping equipment to meet visitor’s needs. For a needed break from the musical activities, there is a moderately sized craft show with regional vendors, large band merchandising areas, camp playgrounds, and (for resort guests) a swimming pool

Held rain or shine so be sure to plan accordingly. Small dogs permitted around the festival. Admission rates are moderate and vary by number of days. Day Parking is free.